My Best Friend Doll

ABSTRACT

An architecture is presented that provides a programmable doll that can be programmed to speak the name of the child using the doll and the name the child assigns to that doll, as well as other audible messages and sounds. The programmable doll comprises a housing in the form of a human infant body comprising a head having human facial features. The housing comprises two arms, two legs and a body section, and a storage means for storing embedded electronics and a memory card. The memory card comprises a plurality of speech messages. Further, a sound generation means is mounted within the housing for playing the speech messages stored on the memory card. The sound generation means comprises a speaker mechanism for generating the speech messages. Typically, the speech messages are pre-recorded in a life-like child&#39;s voice and comprise a user&#39;s name and the name the user gives the doll.

CROSS-REFERENCE

This application claims priority from Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/317,751 filed Mar. 26, 2010.

BACKGROUND

Many parents are always looking for new, innovative toys for their children. Toys, especially baby dolls or dolls, that are currently available on the market are generic and can not be personalized toward the family that owns the doll. This can result in the child losing interest in the doll after only a short period of time. Some dolls are programmed to say specific words and phrases, but these dolls are usually pre-recorded in an impersonal, electronic or robotic voice and tend to only be recorded in English. This can be alienating to children, especially children who do not speak English as a first language. A more diverse, programmable doll that can be personalized to any child is needed.

Consequently, a need exists for a more diverse, programmable doll that can be personalized toward the family that owns the doll. The programmable doll of the present invention provides users with, among other features, a doll that can be programmed to speak in any language, and that speaks the child's name and the name the child assigns to the doll. Further, the personalized messages spoken by the doll are spoken in a life-like child's voice.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one aspect thereof, comprises a programmable doll that can be programmed to speak the name of the child using the doll and the name the child assigns to that doll, as well as other audible messages and sounds. The programmable doll comprises a housing in the form of a human infant body comprising a head having human facial features. The housing comprises two arms, two legs and a body section, and a storage means for storing embedded electronics and a memory card. The memory card comprises a plurality of speech messages. Further, a sound generation means is mounted within the housing for playing the speech messages stored on the memory card. The sound generation means comprises a speaker mechanism for generating the speech messages.

Furthermore in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the memory card is inserted into a computer to download programmable speech messages from a website, and/or a manufacturer programs selected speech messages into the memory card. Typically, the speech messages are pre-recorded in a life-like child's voice, or the child's own voice and comprise a user's name and the name the user gives the doll.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and is intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a programmable doll in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a plurality of programmable dolls displaying various ethnicities in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a memory card wherein speech messages are uploaded via a computer in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the programmable doll comprising a storage means in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of a user using the programmable doll in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof.

Most dolls that are currently available on the market are generic and can not be personalized toward the family that owns the doll. For example, some dolls are programmed to say specific words and phrases, but these dolls are usually pre-recorded in an impersonal, electronic or robotic voice and tend to only be recorded in English. This can be alienating to children, especially children who do not speak English as a first language. A more diverse, programmable doll that can relate to any child is needed.

The programmable doll of the present invention provides users with, among other features, a doll that can be programmed to speak in any language, and that speaks the child's name and the name the child assigns to the doll. Further, the personalized messages spoken by the doll are spoken in a life-like child's voice.

Referring initially to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a programmable doll 100 that can be programmed to speak the name of the child using the doll 100 and the name the child assigns to the doll 100, as well as other audible messages and sounds. In the preferred embodiment, the programmable doll 100 comprises a housing 102 in the form of a human infant or child's body and a storage means (not shown) mounted to housing 102. Housing 102 preferably comprises a head 104, two arms 110, two legs 112, and a body section 114. Head 104 may further comprise human facial features 106 such as eyes, ears, a nose, and a mouth as is typically known in the art for a standard doll without affecting the overall concept of the present invention. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, head 104 also comprises hair 108, which can be any suitable or desired length, thickness and color as is typically known in the art for a standard doll without affecting the overall concept of the present invention.

The number of arms 110 and legs 112 can be any suitable number as is typically known in the art for a standard doll without affecting the overall concept of the present invention. Typically, the two arms 110, two legs 112, body section 114 and the head 104 are hollow and molded of a child-safe, soft, flexible plastic material. The plastic material is typically polyurethane but could be any suitable material as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the present invention. Further, doll 100 is approximately two foot tall to three feet tall, and approximately six inches wide to ten inches wide. Doll 100 preferably weighs between one and five pounds for easy handling by a child or infant.

Storage means (not shown) is preferably mounted within housing 102 for storing embedded electronics and a memory card (not shown). The embedded electronics comprise an internal hard drive, or other electronics suitable for receiving and playing a programmable memory card, or the like. The memory card comprises a plurality of messages, typically speech messages, but could be any suitable audible sounds such as child-like laughs, cries and other noises as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the present invention. The memory card can be inserted into a computer or other electronic device (not shown), such as an iPad®, smart phone or any other device capable of accessing the Internet, to download programmable speech messages from a pre-developed website. The memory card could also be sent to the manufacturer, wherein the manufacturer can program selected speech messages into the memory card. The speech messages comprise, among other things, the name of the child using the doll 100 and the name the child assigns to doll 100, as well as other audible messages and sounds. The speech messages are typically recorded in a life-like child's voice, the child's own voice or any other suitable voice as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the present invention. Further, the speech messages can be erased and re-recorded to add versatility to the doll 100, allowing a user to re-name the doll 100.

Additionally, a sound generation means (not shown) is mounted within the housing 102 for playing the speech messages stored on the memory card. The sound generation means comprises a speaker mechanism for generating the speech messages. The speaker mechanism can be located on any suitable position on the doll 100 without affecting the overall concept of the present invention. Further, more than one speaker mechanism can be positioned at various locations on the doll 100, as well. The speaker mechanism is typically powered by at least one battery, wherein the battery can be a rechargeable battery. Additionally, the speaker mechanism can be powered by a battery, a rechargeable battery, a power cord, or any other suitable power supply as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a plurality of programmable dolls 100 displaying various ethnicities. The programmable dolls 100 are designed with coloring, facial features, hair and other specific characteristics to display various ethnicities. For example, the programmable dolls 100 can be designed to resemble a Caucasian child, an African-American child, an Asian child, a Hispanic child, or any other ethnicity as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the present invention. The dolls 100 can have long or short, realistic-looking hair, and various interchangeable clothing options and accessories. For example, the doll 100 could resemble and have clothing representing a specific sport, such as soccer, swimming, tennis, basketball, cheerleading, skiing, or any other sport as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the present invention. Furthermore, the doll 100 could have clothing and accessories representing a specific activity, such as a ballet dancer, a tap dancer, a gymnast, and/or playing a musical instrument, such as a violin, a guitar or other similar musical instrument, as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a memory card 300 wherein speech messages are uploaded via a computer 302. The memory card 300 of the programmable doll stores a plurality of messages, typically speech messages, but could be any suitable audible sounds such as child-like laughs, cries and other noises as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the present invention. The memory card 300 can be inserted into a computer 302 or other electronic device, such as an iPad®, smart phone or any other device capable of accessing the Internet, to download programmable speech messages from a pre-developed website. The website could be developed by the manufacturer for the convenience of the user/consumer. The website would contain, among other things, a list of names in all the major languages allowing the user to select the name of their child and the name the child assigned to the doll.

However, if the user does not have access to a computer 302, or if they can not find a particular name on the website, the user can fill out basic paperwork included in the doll's packaging and mail the completed paperwork along with the memory card 300 to the manufacturer. The manufacturer can then program the selected speech messages into the memory card 300 and return it to the user. The speech messages are typically recorded in a life-like child's voice, the child's own voice, or any other suitable voice as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the present invention. Accordingly, the doll can be programmed to speak the child's name and the name the child assigned to the doll, in any language and in an actual child's voice, and therefore the doll can be personalized to any child. Further, the speech messages can be erased and re-recorded to add versatility to the doll, allowing a child to re-name the doll.

FIG. 4 illustrates the programmable doll 100 comprising storage means 400. The storage means 400 is preferably mounted within the housing 102 and stores embedded electronics 402 and a memory card 300. The embedded electronics 402 comprise an internal hard drive 404, or other electronics suitable for receiving and playing a programmable memory card 300, or the like. The memory card 300 comprises a plurality of messages, typically speech messages, but could be any suitable audible sounds such as child-like laughs, cries and other noises as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the present invention. Typically, the speech messages comprise, among other things, the name of the child using the doll 100 and the name the child assigns to that doll 100. The speech messages are typically recorded in a life-like child's voice, the child's own voice, or any other suitable voice as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the present invention. Further, the speech messages can be erased and re-recorded to add versatility to the doll 100, allowing a child to re-name the doll 100.

Additionally, a sound generation means 406 is mounted within the housing 102 for playing the speech messages stored on the memory card 300. The sound generation means 406 comprises a speaker mechanism 408 for generating the speech messages. The speaker mechanism 408 can be located on any suitable position on the doll 100 without affecting the overall concept of the present invention. Further, more than one speaker mechanism 408 can be positioned at various locations on the doll 100, as well. The speaker mechanism 408 is typically powered by at least one battery 410, wherein the battery 410 can be a rechargeable battery. Additionally, the speaker mechanism 408 can be powered by a battery, a rechargeable battery, a power cord, or any other suitable power supply as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the present invention. Further, a power switch 412 is preferably located on the back of the doll 100 for enabling a user to turn the doll 100 off and on.

FIG. 5 illustrates a user/child 500 using the programmable doll 100. The user 500 turns on the doll 100 via a power switch (not shown) located on the body section 114 of the doll 100. A memory card (not shown) comprising a plurality of messages, typically speech messages, but could be any suitable audible sounds such as child-like laughs, cries and other noises, is inserted into the doll 100. The doll 100 can then speak, among other things, the name of the child 500 and the name the child 500 assigned to the doll 100 and be personalized toward the family that owns the doll 100. The child 500 can then interact, play with, and relate to the doll 100, as the doll 100 speaks to the child 500 with personalized messages and phrases.

What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim. 

1. A programmable doll, comprising: a housing in form of a human body comprising a head having human facial features; and a storage means mounted within the housing for storing embedded electronics and a memory card; and wherein the programmable doll emits personalized speech messages.
 2. The programmable doll of claim 1, wherein the housing further comprises two arms, two legs and a body section.
 3. The programmable doll of claim 1, wherein the embedded electronics comprise an internal hard drive.
 4. The programmable doll of claim 1, wherein the memory card comprises a plurality of speech messages.
 5. The programmable doll of claim 1, wherein the memory card is inserted into a computer to download programmable speech messages from a website.
 6. The programmable doll of claim 1, wherein a manufacturer programs selected speech messages into the memory card.
 7. The programmable doll of claim 4, further comprising a sound generation means mounted within the housing for playing the speech messages.
 8. The programmable doll of claim 7, wherein the sound generation means comprises a speaker mechanism for playing the speech messages.
 9. The programmable doll of claim 7, wherein the speech messages comprise a user's name and name the user gives the doll.
 10. The programmable doll of claim 8, wherein the speech messages are pre-recorded in a life-like child's voice.
 11. The programmable doll of claim 9, wherein the speech messages are recorded in more than one language.
 12. The programmable doll of claim 1, wherein the doll is designed with coloring, facial features, hair and other specific characteristics to resemble a particular ethnicity.
 13. The programmable doll of claim 2, wherein the two arms, two legs, body section and head are comprised of polyurethane.
 14. A programmable doll, comprising: a housing in form of a human infant body comprising a head, two arms, two legs and a body section; and a storage means mounted within the housing; and wherein the programmable doll emits personalized speech messages.
 15. The programmable doll of claim 14, wherein the storage means stores a memory card and embedded electronics.
 16. The programmable doll of claim 15, further comprising a sound generation means for playing speech messages stored on the memory card.
 17. The programmable doll of claim 16, wherein the sound generation means comprises a battery powered speaker mechanism for playing the speech messages.
 18. A programmable doll, comprising: a housing; a storage means mounted within the housing for storing a memory card and embedded electronics; and a sound generation means for emitting personalized speech messages stored on the memory card.
 19. The programmable doll of claim 18, wherein the housing comprises a head, two arms, two legs and a body section.
 20. The programmable doll of claim 18, wherein the sound generation means comprises a speaker mechanism for playing the speech messages. 